stark Meaning & Definition
What Does Stark Mean?
Stark is used as an adjective meaning Hard, firm; obdurate. It can also mean Severe; violent; fierce (now usually in describing the weather). As an adverb, it means Starkly; entirely, absolutely. As a verb, it means To stiffen.
Stark: Key Facts
| Part of speech | adjective, adverb, verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /stɑɹk/ |
| Synonyms | austere, desolate and crude |
| Comparative / superlative | starker, starkest |
| Verb forms | starks, starking, starked |
Stark Definition (Adjective)
- Hard, firm; obdurate.
- Severe; violent; fierce (now usually in describing the weather).
- Strong; vigorous; powerful.
- Stiff, rigid.
- Plain in appearance; barren, desolate.
I picked my way forlornly through the stark, sharp rocks.
- Naked.
- Complete, absolute, full.
I screamed in stark terror.
Stark as an Adverb
- Starkly; entirely, absolutely.
He's gone stark, staring mad.
Stark as a Verb
- To stiffen.
Synonyms of Stark
Stark in a Sentence
I picked my way forlornly through the stark, sharp rocks.
I screamed in stark terror.
A flower was growing, in stark contrast, out of the sidewalk.
He's gone stark, staring mad.
She was just standing there, stark naked.
Word Forms & Grammar
stark (comparative starker, superlative starkest)
stark (not comparable)
stark (third-person singular simple present starks, present participle starking, simple past and past participle starked)
Words That Rhyme With Stark
Origin of Stark
Origin 1: From Middle English stark, starc, from Old English stearc, starc (“stiff, rigid, unyielding, obstinate, hard, strong, severe, violent”), from Proto-West Germanic *stark, from Proto-Germanic *starkuz (“stiff, strong”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)terg- (“rigid, stiff”).
Origin 2: Cognate with Saterland Frisian sterc (“strong”), Dutch sterk (“strong”), Low German sterk (“strong”), German stark (“strong”), Danish stærk (“strong”), Swedish stark (“strong”), Norwegian sterk (“strong”), Icelandic sterkur (“strong”). Related to starch.
Origin 3: In the phrase stark naked: an alternation of Middle English stert naked, from stert (“tail”), a literal parallel to the modern butt naked.
Origin 4: From Middle English starken, from Old English stearcian (“to stiffen, become hard, grow stiff or hard”), from Proto-Germanic *starkōną, *starkēną (“to stiffen, become hard”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)terg- (“rigid, stiff”). Cognate with German erstarken (“to strengthen”).
Stark: Your Questions Answered
Is stark an adjective or an adverb?
Stark is mainly used as an adjective, but it can also be used as an adverb and a verb.
What is another word for stark?
You can replace stark with words such as austere, desolate and crude. See the full list of stark synonyms and antonyms.
What is the past tense of stark?
The past tense of stark is starked. The present participle is starking.
What are the comparative and superlative forms of stark?
The comparative form is starker and the superlative form is starkest.